Proposal for adult occupant restraint requirements for seats facing a seat with a child restraint system to prevent impacts between the adult occupant and the child occupant.

For M2 and M3 vehicle of all classes, when an adult seating in a forward-facing seat which face a built in Child Restraint system, an impact between the adult and the child shall be prevented. In order to prevent the impact between the occupants a 3-point belt is requested on the adult seating position. The text has been proposed to be updated in the UN Regulation 16 Supplement 05 to 08 series of amendments, it seeks to harmonize requirements in both UN Regulation 14 and UN Regulation 16.

11. The expert from Spain introduced GRSP-73-09-Rev.1, proposing the introduction of three-point safety-belts for buses and coaches (all M2 and M3 vehicle categories) on adult seats facing a built-in Child Restraint System (CRS). She explained that the proposal aimed to prevent impact between an adult and a child when the child was restrained in a built-in CRS installed on a seat back facing the adult. GRSP adopted GRSP-73-09-Rev.1, as reproduced by annex II of the session report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as draft Supplement 3 to the 09 Series of Amendments to UN Regulation No. 14 for consideration and vote at the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and to the Administrative Committee of the 1958 Agreement (AC.1).

This Regulation applies to Built-in Child Restraint Systems installed in vehicles of categories M2 and M3 class B and class III with regards to the securing of children from 40 – 150 cm in forward facing and rearward facing vehicle seats.

48. The expert from Spain, Chair of IWG on safer transport of children in buses and coaches informed GRSP about GRSP-73-01 on developing the new UN Regulation. She confirmed that the Group had finalized the first phase on the use of ECRS approved according to UN Regulation No. 129 with three-point safety-belts and/or ISOFIX built-in systems. In Phase 2, she added that IWG would assess ECRS in combination with two-point belts. She added that the terms of references of Phase 2 of IWG would be prepared for comments from the Working Party on General Safety Provisions (GRSG), then for official adoption by GRSP at its December 2023 session. She then introduced GRSP-73-04-Rev.1, superseding ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/2.

49. GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/2, as amended by GRSP-73-04-Rev.1. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as a draft new UN Regulation Concerning the Approval of Child Restraint Systems for Safer Transport of Children in Buses and Coaches for consideration and vote at the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

48. The expert from Spain, Chair of IWG on safer transport of children in buses and coaches informed GRSP about GRSP-73-01 on developing the new UN Regulation. She confirmed that the Group had finalized the first phase on the use of ECRS approved according to UN Regulation No. 129 with three-point safety-belts and/or ISOFIX built-in systems. In Phase 2, she added that IWG would assess ECRS in combination with two-point belts. She added that the terms of references of Phase 2 of IWG would be prepared for comments from the Working Party on General Safety Provisions (GRSG), then for official adoption by GRSP at its December 2023 session. She then introduced GRSP-73-04-Rev.1, superseding ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/2.

49. GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/2, as amended by GRSP-73-04-Rev.1. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as a draft new UN Regulation Concerning the Approval of Child Restraint Systems for Safer Transport of Children in Buses and Coaches for consideration and vote at the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

48. The expert from Spain, Chair of IWG on safer transport of children in buses and coaches informed GRSP about GRSP-73-01 on developing the new UN Regulation. She confirmed that the Group had finalized the first phase on the use of ECRS approved according to UN Regulation No. 129 with three-point safety-belts and/or ISOFIX built-in systems. In Phase 2, she added that IWG would assess ECRS in combination with two-point belts. She added that the terms of references of Phase 2 of IWG would be prepared for comments from the Working Party on General Safety Provisions (GRSG), then for official adoption by GRSP at its December 2023 session. She then introduced GRSP-73-04-Rev.1, superseding ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/2.

49. GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/2, as amended by GRSP-73-04-Rev.1. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as a draft new UN Regulation Concerning the Approval of Child Restraint Systems for Safer Transport of Children in Buses and Coaches for consideration and vote at the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

Proposal to define minimum safety-belt installation specifications for forward-facing seats which face a Child Restraint System in M₂ and M₃ vehicles.

17. The expert from Spain introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/3, complementing her proposal of three-point safety-belts for buses and coaches (M2 and M3 vehicle categories of all classes) on adult seats facing built-in CRS (paragraph 11). GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/3, as amended below, and requested the secretariat to submit the proposal as draft Supplement 5 to the 08 Series of Amendments and to include it in the draft (paragraph 16) 09 Series of Amendments to UN Regulation No. 16 for consideration and vote at the November 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

The title, amend to read:

“Proposal for Supplement 5 to 08 Series of Amendments and 09 Series of Amendments to UN Regulation No. 16 (Safety-belts)”*

^*Note by the secretariat: The change of the title was agreed with the author of the proposal to include the text of the draft Supplement 5 to the 08 Series of Amendments into the draft 09 Series of Amendments to UN Regulation No. 16.

Draft proposal prepared by the STCBC informal group concerning the approval of built-in Child Restraint Systems installed in vehicles of categories M2 and M3 class B and class III with regard to the securing of children from 40-150 cm in forward facing [and rearward facing] vehicle seats.

47. The expert from Spain, Chair of the IWG on safer transport of children in buses and coaches informed GRSP about the progress (GRSP-72-03). She confirmed that the group was developing a first phase on the use of ECRS that were approved according to UN Regulation No. 129 with 3-point safety-belts and or ISOFIX built-in systems. In Phase 2, she added that IWG would assess ECRS in combination with the 2-point belt. She then introduced GRSP-72-02 as a first draft of the new UN Regulation.

48. GRSP agreed to resume discussion on a revised document (based on GRSP-72-02), resolving the remaining issues in square brackets, submitted by the expert from Spain as an official document to the May 2023 session of GRSP.

47. The expert from Spain, Chair of the IWG on safer transport of children in buses and coaches informed GRSP about the progress (GRSP-72-03). She confirmed that the group was developing a first phase on the use of ECRS that were approved according to UN Regulation No. 129 with 3-point safety-belts and or ISOFIX built-in systems. In Phase 2, she added that IWG would assess ECRS in combination with the 2-point belt. She then introduced GRSP-72-02 as a first draft of the new UN Regulation.

48. GRSP agreed to resume discussion on a revised document (based on GRSP-72-02), resolving the remaining issues in square brackets, submitted by the expert from Spain as an official document to the May 2023 session of GRSP.

Proposal on behalf of the Technical Services Group to clarify the approach in the production qualification testing phase.

27. The expert from Spain introduced GRSP-72-01, on behalf of the Technical Service Group, aiming to clarify the approach of the production qualification testing phase. At the same time, the expert from CLEPA introduced GRSP-72-16 to update the references to EN Standards for toxicity and flammability. GRSP adopted GRSP-72-01 and GRSP-72-16 as reproduced in annex V to the session report. The secretariat was requested to submit both proposals as draft Supplement 9 to the 03 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 129 on ECRS for consideration and vote at the June 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1. It was also agreed that if further discussion was needed, the official document to the June 2023 session would be re-discussed at the May 2023 session of GRSP.

4. The expert from Germany, on behalf of the Chair of the IWG on Safer Transport of Children in Buses and Coaches (IWG-STCBC), introduced a presentation (GRSG-124-26) on the work progress of the IWG to GRSG. He confirmed that the aim of IWG-STCBC was a new UN Regulation on existing systems used in passenger cars, and that in the first phase of this UN Regulation, IWG favoured built-in Child Restraint Systems (CRS) and Enhanced CRS type approved according to UN Regulation No. 129 (ECRS). He also added that CRS in combination with 2-point safety-belts would be considered in a second phase. He finally announced that a proposal would be officially presented by IWG at the May 2023 session of the Working Party on Passive Safety (GRSP).

35. The expert from Spain, Chair of the informal working group on safer transport of children in buses and coaches informed GRSP about the progress (GRSP-71-03). She confirmed that the group was developing a first phase assessing: (a) buses and coaches M2 and M3 categories, excluding those which have areas for standing passengers if they can host ECRS (i.e. Class I and A) and (b) built-in systems. Phase 2, she added, would assess ECRS in combination with the 2-point belt and other classes of buses. At the request of the Chair, GRSP agreed to seek endorsement of WP.29 at its June 2022 session to extend the IWG mandate until March 2024.

27. The expert from EC introduced, through a presentation (GRSG-123-30), the draft new UN Regulation No. XXX of VRU-Proxi on Direct Vision (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2022/7 and GRSG-123-09 amending it). He underlined that the new draft UN Regulation would enhance the direct visibility of vulnerable road users from the driver seat, by reducing to the greatest possible extent the blind spots in front of and to the side of the driver. As a follow-up to the EC presentation, the expert from Germany remarked that driver’s behaviour and skills to judge critical situations without technical assistance is increasingly important since more than 90 per cent of road accidents are estimated to result from some level of human error. Therefore, he introduced GRSG-123-08, to ensure among others, that automated vehicles are equipped with the technology to support the driver especially during low-speed manoeuvres. The expert from AAPC endorsed, in principle, the proposal but suggested replacing the term “automated vehicle” with “VRU collision system”. The expert from the United States of America supported the proposal but suggested sending it to IWG on Functional Requirements for Automated Vehicles (FRAV) to verify the consistency with already defined terminology. The expert from the United Kingdom expressed concern for the late submission of the document introducing substantive changes to the draft UN Regulation and seemingly introducing alternative technology. He therefor suggested discussion of GRSG-123-08 at another stage. The expert from Germany suggested discussing the document with the Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles Working Group (GRVA) to determine consistent definitions. The expert from EC replied that the approach proposed by GRSG-123-08 was not new and not endorsed by the majority of contracting parties because the IWG mandate was for a unique technology for direct vision. The experts from Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom supported the position of EC to adopt the draft UN Regulation and discuss GRSG-123-08 at the October 2022 session of GRSG. The expert from the Russian Federation assumed that the new UN Regulation would apply to large trucks and buses (M3 and N3 categories of vehicles) according to the design configuration of the vehicle. The expert from EC confirmed it and clarified that there were options and protocols for manufacturers to follow also for small buses and trucks (N1, N2, M1 and M2). The expert from OICA acknowledged the merit of the proposal. However, he pointed out the issue of lack of harmonization of the three-dimensional point machine to correctly implement the proposed UN Regulation. The expert from Sweden supported the draft new UN Regulation. However, in his view, application on long vehicles would be challenging particularly in view of the changes proposed in GRSG-123-08.

28. GRSG adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2022/7 as amended by annex VII to the session report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as draft new UN Regulation No. XXX (VRU Direct Vision) to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their November 2022 sessions.

29. GRSG agreed to send GRSG-123-08 to IWG VRU-Proxi for further elaboration and resume discussion at its October 2022 session for possible amendments to the official proposal to WP.29 of new UN Regulation No. XXX (VRU Direct Vision).

30. GRSG agreed to send GRSG-123-25 and GRSG-123-26, tabled by the expert from Spain, to IWG VRU-Proxi for further elaboration.

Text to modify the consideration that the testing procedure is independent of the distance between the front axle and the foremost point of the vehicle. The reference point is the AHP.

27. The expert from EC introduced, through a presentation (GRSG-123-30), the draft new UN Regulation No. XXX of VRU-Proxi on Direct Vision (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2022/7 and GRSG-123-09 amending it). He underlined that the new draft UN Regulation would enhance the direct visibility of vulnerable road users from the driver seat, by reducing to the greatest possible extent the blind spots in front of and to the side of the driver. As a follow-up to the EC presentation, the expert from Germany remarked that driver’s behaviour and skills to judge critical situations without technical assistance is increasingly important since more than 90 per cent of road accidents are estimated to result from some level of human error. Therefore, he introduced GRSG-123-08, to ensure among others, that automated vehicles are equipped with the technology to support the driver especially during low-speed manoeuvres. The expert from AAPC endorsed, in principle, the proposal but suggested replacing the term “automated vehicle” with “VRU collision system”. The expert from the United States of America supported the proposal but suggested sending it to IWG on Functional Requirements for Automated Vehicles (FRAV) to verify the consistency with already defined terminology. The expert from the United Kingdom expressed concern for the late submission of the document introducing substantive changes to the draft UN Regulation and seemingly introducing alternative technology. He therefor suggested discussion of GRSG-123-08 at another stage. The expert from Germany suggested discussing the document with the Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles Working Group (GRVA) to determine consistent definitions. The expert from EC replied that the approach proposed by GRSG-123-08 was not new and not endorsed by the majority of contracting parties because the IWG mandate was for a unique technology for direct vision. The experts from Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom supported the position of EC to adopt the draft UN Regulation and discuss GRSG-123-08 at the October 2022 session of GRSG. The expert from the Russian Federation assumed that the new UN Regulation would apply to large trucks and buses (M3 and N3 categories of vehicles) according to the design configuration of the vehicle. The expert from EC confirmed it and clarified that there were options and protocols for manufacturers to follow also for small buses and trucks (N1, N2, M1 and M2). The expert from OICA acknowledged the merit of the proposal. However, he pointed out the issue of lack of harmonization of the three-dimensional point machine to correctly implement the proposed UN Regulation. The expert from Sweden supported the draft new UN Regulation. However, in his view, application on long vehicles would be challenging particularly in view of the changes proposed in GRSG-123-08.

28. GRSG adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2022/7 as amended by annex VII to the session report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as draft new UN Regulation No. XXX (VRU Direct Vision) to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their November 2022 sessions.

29. GRSG agreed to send GRSG-123-08 to IWG VRU-Proxi for further elaboration and resume discussion at its October 2022 session for possible amendments to the official proposal to WP.29 of new UN Regulation No. XXX (VRU Direct Vision).

30. GRSG agreed to send GRSG-123-25 and GRSG-123-26, tabled by the expert from Spain, to IWG VRU-Proxi for further elaboration.

7. The representative from OICA introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2022/2 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2022/8 proposing to integrate requirements for Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in the 06 and 07 series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 83 and Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3). The representative from Spain proposed clarifications on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2022/8 to be included in any revised version (GRPE-85-48), and requested clarifications on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2022/2, as supported by the representative from Sweden.

8. The representative from Australia asked whether similar provisions should also be included in UN Regulation No. 154. The representative from France supported the proposals and requested to be cautious about exempting from Conformity of Production (CoP) requirements. The representative from the European Union, as supported by the representative from the Netherlands, needed a review on the deletion of the extension rule and requested additional time to consider the proposals.

9. The representative from OICA explained the rationale for the proposals, mainly to ease the way in some markets where a very limited number of vehicles falling under the definition of SPVs are registered, and where identifying vehicle to perform CoP tests would be very challenging. The representative from OICA also agreed for a delayed consideration of the proposals, and he proposed to improve the documents for a consideration in forthcoming sessions of GRPE.

Proposal to clarify the head containment assessment for side impact testing.

20. The expert from Spain on behalf of the Technical Services Group (TSG) on UN Regulation No. 129 introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/7 as amended by GRSP-70-05, aimed at clarifying the head containment assessment for side impact testing. GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/7 as amended by annex VI (GRSP-70-05) to the report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as draft Supplement 7 to the 03 series of amendment to UN Regulation No. 129 for consideration and vote at the June 2022 sessions of WP.29 and to AC.1.

31. The expert from Spain, on behalf of IWG on safer transport of children in buses and coaches informed GRSP on the progress (GRSP-70-02). She confirmed that the group was examining different configurations of testing and Child Restraint Systems (CRS) fittings in M3 (e.g. seating position, Q dummies with or without CRS, types of CRS) considering bus requirements. She also confirmed that built-in CRS had been considered but their use as a solution could conflict with structural modification of buses. GRSP agreed to resume consideration on this subject at its May 2022 session.

3. The secretariat of GRSP introduced a presentation (GRSP-70-02) on the work progress of IWG on Safer Transport of Children in Buses and Coaches (IWG-STCBC) to GRSG. The expert from Germany added a clarification that the aim of IWG was a new UN Regulation concerning existing systems used in passenger cars and that the specific new Child Restraint System (CRS) would be not developed. He added that IWG favoured built-in CRS and booster cushions due to their lack of bulk. However, especially in the latter case, the problem of head containment would remain. He also stated that the belt length would be an issue since buses had not been structured to incorporate large rolls of belts to secure CRS. He finally announced that a proposal would be officially presented by IWG at the December 2022 session of GRSP.

9. The expert from Spain introduced GRSP ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/20 in a presentation (GRSP-70-03), updating drawings of fixtures of booster seats to allow the seats to be designed in combination with a support leg as anti-rotational systems. The proposal caused concern with GRSP experts for the effects on UN Regulation No. 145 (ISOFIX anchorage systems, ISOFIX top tether anchorages and i-Size) and real-world crashes. GRSP agreed to resume discussion on a revised version of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/20 (UN Regulation No. 16), at its May 2022 session with more evidence of the crash situation in real vehicles, in side impact and offset configuration.

30. GRSP considered the informal evaluation of the ad hoc group of experts of the technical merits of study from Sweden on female occupants. The expert from Sweden explained that the ad hoc group was trying to have a better identification and understanding of the problem, therefore she proposed the establishment of an informal working group and provided terms of reference in GRSP-70-01. The expert from the United States of America informed GRSP that she had participated in only the first meeting of the ad hoc group because the ad hoc group had not complied with the mandate given by WP.29 (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/1159, paras. 22 and 58), i.e., collect and review data to determine if there is a merit to Sweden’s claim. GRSP agreed that the ad hoc group of experts could continue to review existing research/share ongoing research and if GRSP determines that there is enough evidence to address this issue, an IWG may be established.

Proposal to update the drawings of the child restraint booster seat volumes to allow the possibility of a support leg.

9. The expert from Spain introduced GRSP ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/20 in a presentation (GRSP-70-03), updating drawings of fixtures of booster seats to allow the seats to be designed in combination with a support leg as anti-rotational systems. The proposal caused concern with GRSP experts for the effects on UN Regulation No. 145 (ISOFIX anchorage systems, ISOFIX top tether anchorages and i-Size) and real-world crashes. GRSP agreed to resume discussion on a revised version of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/20 (UN Regulation No. 16), at its May 2022 session with more evidence of the crash situation in real vehicles, in side impact and offset configuration.

11. GRSP agreed to defer discussion on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/20 on the updating of drawings of fixtures for booster seats, to its December 2022 session, awaiting more evidence of crash situations with real vehicles, of side impact and offset configurations.

10. GRSP resumed discussion on ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/20, tabled by the expert from Spain, which provides updates of drawings of fixtures ISO/B2 and B3 (for assessing the external dimensions of an Enhanced Child Restraint System (ECRS)) for booster seats volumes to allow the possibility of a support leg. The expert from CLEPA provided more evidence from impact tests and simulations to justify the proposal (GRSP-72-36 and item 10, para. 28).

11. GRSP adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2021/20, amended by annex III to the session report. The secretariat was requested to submit the proposal as draft Supplement 4 to the 08 series of UN Regulation No. 16 (Safety-belts) for consideration and vote at the June 2023 sessions of WP.29 and AC.1.

13. The secretariat, representing GRSP presented document GRSP-69-05, an update of the activities of the IWG on Safer Transport of Children in Buses and Coaches (IWG-STCBC) to GRSG. The expert from Germany stated that it would be of great benefit to have the Chair of the IWG on STCBC present this report to GRSG. He also proposed preparation of an informal GRSG document for this presentation and stated his plans to discuss this with the Chair of the IWG on STCBC.

33. The expert from Spain, on behalf of IWG on safer transport of children in buses and coaches informed GRSP about the progress of the group (GRSP-69-05). She confirmed the that the group was examining different configurations of testing (e.g.: seating position, Q dummies with or without CRS, types of CRS) considering bus requirements. The expert from OICA suggested that GRSP should focus keenly on this activity and decide which kind of child restraint system should be considered.